Computer Viruses

Descriptive Essay # 106426

Computer and Technology

Computer Viruses

Looks at computer viruses, which are still one of the biggest problems computer users face.

1,090 words () | 3 sources | MLA | 2008 United States

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that part of the reason that computer viruses are so prevalent is that many people are not adequately informed about what they are, how they work and what can be done to avoid them. The author points out that the sole purpose of computer viruses is to cause damage to the computer, much like the sole purpose of human viruses is to cause damage to the body. The paper also relates that some people claim that the government needs to combat computer viruses because they can halt the operations of businesses, which slow the economy, and potentially can wreak havoc on the government itself.

Outline:
Introduction
Attention Material
Orienting Material
Central Idea
Computer Viruses Users' Worst Enemy
Do Not Understand
What They Are
How They Work
How to Avoid
Body
What are Computer Viruses?
Maliciously Spread Software Programs
Emails and Infected Files and Disks
Corrupt Hardware, Erase Files, Destroy Computers
How Work?
Self-Reproduction and Mass Transference
"Love Bug"
What can be Done?
Anti-Virus Software
Government Intervention
Be Proactive
Conclusion
Devastating Consequences
Prevent
Clincher

From the Paper:

"One of the most famous email viruses - also referred to as worms - is the "Love Bug" virus that began spreading in the first year of the new millennium. People would receive an email with the subject line reading "I Love You" and would open the attached 'love letter' that came with it. Much to their chagrin, the attachment was really a destructive virus that destroyed millions of dollars of computer equipment, not to mention crippling business and personal transactions across the globe."

Sample of Sources Used:

Hayes, Peter, No 'sorry' from Love Bug author; Five Years on, Spyder keeps schtum, The Register, May 11, 2005, http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/05/11/love_bug_author/
Moores, Simon, It's a Bug's Life: Computer Viruses Are Bad for Business. So Should the Government Be Doing More. New Statesman, September 22, 2003, vol. 132, p. 15
Sinrod, Eric J. Worms and Viruses and Phishers, oh my! USA Today, February 16, 2005, http://www.usatoday.com/tech/columnist/ericjsinrod/2005-02-16-sinrod_x.htm